Chapters of a Story

That's me and my daughter above and me and Jo'el to the left, and me and Jo'el outside at his birthday party,way below.




And so he is seven (7), Jo'el - our grandson.

He certainly has lived a colorful life in his seven years on this earth. I often feared for him, worried about him and did all that I could to protect him only to realize that his story was being written and that the chapters that were mine were what I could control - I take that very seriously - as I know that we, as adults write our children's and grand children's stories until they are old enough to write the rest of their story on their own. But initially, it is ultimately our responsibility. I stopped trying to change how other people were writing parts of his story and focused only on my/parts. I knew that I/we could show him many things in our home. First, is how a man and a woman should treat one another - with kindness, respect, love, gentle humor, calm conversations, listening, equality, sharing, adoring, compromising, and the list goes on. We share traditions with hm like prayer before a meal and some manners like saying please and thank you and clearing your place after we've eaten. We show him about being a good neighbor and friend and not to waste. We ask his opinions and thought and really listen to his answers. His time with us is always gentle, loving and safe and he is free to just be a little boy.
I fought for so long to change other aspects of his world - those were not mine to change, I sure tried though - and some things have changed and changed for the better :-), but those changes are not about me. It was in her time and reference, not mine. It seems that when I let go of trying to make change outside of myself that change happened. It seems that when I focused on our world and how we could share it with Jo'el that I felt empowered. It is, after all, where our power lies, only within ourselves.
It was a wonderful party - the cake was beautiful, the gifts abundant, friends and family around to celebrate him - the singing was loud and joyous and I could see and feel his happy. I like this chapter in his story. I like it a lot. And so I ask you all, ' who is writing the story for the innocent children in your lives and what do you do when perhaps some of the 'writers' are creating chapters that read horribly. And what do the chapters look like for which you are responsible? I already know how much some of you are shaping the lives of your chidren and grandchildren in the most beautiful ways - I am in awe of this shared truth and I bow to it's value - and to all of you.
Peace and love to you all,
Gail